BURGOS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Austria's backs are against the wall in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, yet they're still in the hunt for a spot in the Second Round.

That's the message from their veteran point guard Thomas Schreiner.

A side that had to go through the Pre-Qualifiers last summer, Austria have lost four times in as many First Round games but they still have a chance with games coming up at Germany (June 29) and Georgia (July 2).

"No one really believes in us besides ourselves," he said to FIBA.basketball. "We'll do anything and everything to make the impossible happen. We'll compete, play the best way we can and try to qualify for the next stage."

Veteran Schreiner is a national team stalwart

If Austria were to upset the Germans in Braunschweig and Georgia were to fall to Serbia in Tbilisi, then the Austrians would only need a win over the Georgians to advance. A loss at Germany, however, would leave Austria needing to not only beat Georgia but to do so by 15 points or more. Georgia (1-3) won at Austria, 78-64, in February.

It should help that Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl will bolster the lineup in the third window.

"NO ONE REALLY BELIEVES IN US BESIDES OURSELVES. WE'LL DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN. WE'LL COMPETE, PLAY THE BEST WAY WE CAN AND TRY TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEXT STAGE."Schreiner

A new coach will be at the helm after the Austrian Basketball Federation parted ways with German play caller Matthias Zollner - who had been put in charge in October - at the end of April. This past weekend, Kapfenberg Bulls coach Mike Coffin was put in charge of the team while his assistant will be Ante Perica. The Bulls are playing for the Austrian title.

Coffin will look back at the World Cup Qualifiers campaign to date and video of Austria's home game against Serbia in February, all of which serve to prove that the national side has promise. 

Serbia, the No. 4 team in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by NIKE, escaped Schwechat with an 82-81 victory. Schreiner says Austria, which is ranked No. 56 in the world, will grow stronger from the experience.

"If we get in these situations more and more, we'll start to win those games against good teams," he said. "In Austria, a lot of the time no one expects a lot from us because we don't have a big tradition but we as players expect the best every game. We have to go out there and compete and expect to win.

"Austria playing against teams like Serbia is always a good experience and can help us improve for the future. So these games are very good for us, especially when we're able to compete like against Serbia - a team with great players and coaches - at home. It's a good step for us."

"I LIKE THE NEW SYSTEM BECAUSE YOU GET THESE BREAKS IN A LONG SEASON AND A CHANGE IN THE AIR, THE SCENERY."Schreiner

Schreiner, who is currently on the books of Spanish club San Pablo Burgos, has been impressive in the Qualifiers. In that narrow defeat to Serbia, he had 9 points and 7 assists.

Austria need him to have a strong voice, which he does.

Schreiner is like a coach on the floor for Austria

"I've been playing for the national team like 13 years," he said. "So I feel like I have to be one of the leaders and I try to do it every game on and off the court, helping the younger players as much as I can."

The wins have been elusive but the Qualifiers have brought a positive change, according to the 6ft 5in (1.95m) playmaker.

"The national team is always something hard on the body but I like the new system because you get these breaks in a long season and a change in the air, the scenery," he said.

"IT'S AN HONOR EVERY TIME I STEP ONTO THE COURT WEARING THE AUSTRIA JERSEY, TO REPRESENT MY COUNTRY AND TRY TO DO THE BEST FOR MY COUNTRY, TRY AND HELP AUSTRIAN BASKETBALL IMPROVE."Schreiner

Schreiner, whose father was a basketball coach, says that playing for Austria has boosted his career.

"First of all, it's helped me improve as a player, going up against good teams, top players with good coaches," he said. "With the good coaches that we always have in the national team, you improve as a player.

"Secondly, when you play in Austria, it's hard to show your talent but with the national team, you can showcase your talent so other clubs and teams from other leagues can see how good you are."

There is also the pride that comes with the national team. 

"It's an honor every time I step onto the court wearing the Austria jersey," he said, "to represent my country and try to do the best for my country, try and help Austrian basketball improve. I'll try to play as long as I can, as long as my body allows me to play."

Schreiner firmly believes Austria will take a step forward thanks to their Qualifiers experience.

"We have a lot of good young and talented players," he said. "If we keep working, one day we might quality for a European Championship and be a little closer to those top teams."

FIBA